Video Captures Massive Explosion at Home in Arroyo Naranjo

A video circulating across social media platforms has captured a massive explosion at a home in Arroyo Naranjo, Havana, reportedly linked to liquefied gas cylinders.

The footage, filmed by a witness from a safe distance, reveals intense flames engulfing a low-rise masonry building, with a thick column of dark smoke ascending into the sky.

The precise location of the incident is debated. While some users pinpoint it to the Mantilla neighborhood, at least one commenter claims it occurred in Las Lajas, both within the Arroyo Naranjo municipality.

Cuban authorities have not released any official confirmation regarding the causes, the number of people affected, or the extent of the damages.

Videos of the event swiftly spread on Facebook, amassing thousands of views collectively. Activist Yamilka Lafita and former political prisoner José Daniel Ferrer also shared the footage of the disaster.

Critics of the video, alleging that someone was "waiting" to capture the explosion, received clarifications about the sequence: "It wasn't at the exact moment; the fire was already burning, and they were filming the fire," explained the author of one of the posts. Another user concurred: "Clearly, the fire had already started when the filming began; the explosion happened afterward."

There are several unverified theories about the causes. One commenter, claiming familiarity with the area, stated: "That was in Las Lajas, Arroyo Naranjo, and thank God there were no human casualties. They were empty cylinders being transported at the time of the explosion, but no one was nearby."

Other users suggested a possible clandestine fuel depot: "The type of flames during the explosions is caused by fuels," one pointed out. Another added, "For an explosion of that magnitude, there must have been a significant amount of fuel or something highly flammable."

Regarding casualties, available information suggests there were no fatalities. "No one was seriously injured," responded a user to several concerned followers.

One of the posts that shared the video, from the profile Elizabeth Ferrer, mentioned that "the police are investigating, and there are even detentions," although this claim has not been independently verified.

The incident occurs amidst a severe shortage of liquefied gas in Cuba and the rise of a black market for cylinders, which are sold for between 45,000 and 70,000 CUP on the informal market, compared to the official price of 350 CUP set by the government in July of this year.

The gap has fueled clandestine networks of theft, diversion, and hoarding of cylinders across several provinces.

"That's what the clandestine trade of gas and gasoline leads to, and we're just getting started," warned a commenter. Another was more direct: "In Cuba, there are no conditions for the private sale of fuel."

"I don't doubt for a second that it was stolen cylinders, or who knows," summarized a user, reflecting widespread distrust due to the lack of official information.

Irregular household storage of cylinders poses a documented risk. The most recent and severe precedent occurred in June of this year in Rodas, Cienfuegos, where the explosion of a 45 kg cylinder demolished three homes, damaged another 16, and left five injured, one critically with burns over 95% of his body.

In that home, five gas bottles without a contract with CUPET were found.

Arroyo Naranjo is no stranger to such accidents: in October 2022, a gas leak with explosion in the Popular Council Calvario Fraternidad, within the same municipality, left two people hospitalized.